I'm Beginning to Now Understand Why Sellers have Private Bidder Auctions

braddick · June 22, 2003 4:11AM

I know there is a negative connotation to auctions that offer 'private bidders' instead of opening it up for all to see, but I'm beginning to understand now the other side.

I recently bid on one auction offering seasons two and three of "Six Feet Under". I had purchased season one about two months ago, watched it, and am looking forward to the other two seasons of this show. Well I bid and am promptly outbid the last couple hours or so of the auction.

During the auction and following it I have since received seven email offerings for the same item but the transaction is to take place away from eBay. Although a couple of the offers were attractive I didn't purchase. (I'm glad I haven't because I have since learned season two and three have not been offically released yet and apparently whatever is offered on eBay are copies of the show recorded on DVD off of HBO.)

Obviously if buyers looking for this item, or any other item, fail to win an auction they may be back for a second attempt on eBay. But, if they purchase from one of the multiple email offerings then that option is dismissed. "Private Bidders" auctions prevent others from obtaining this information. That in and of itself would seem to be a valid reason to have them.

What is your take on Private Bidder auctions? Do you run them and if so, for the reason stated above or do you have your own agenda?

PhillyJoe · June 22, 2003 4:16AM

First thing I think of with a private auction is that the seller is selling copies of real coins (ex. 1933 gold $20 repro) and doesn't want the forum police to let the bidders to know it's a ripoff cleverly disguised.

Joe

pontiacinf · June 22, 2003 4:33AM

Thats a tough call. I dont like that last second bid that steals away what Ive been bidding for. But I also dont like the second chance offers and ive only bought 1 item that way, and it turned out ok.

I like the private bidders as then no one can bother other poeples legitimate customers. If someone has a beef with a seller they can in essence stalk and wreck legitamit auctions. I think theres alot of problems with ebay in general...but this and the scammers preying on the unwise and using the private auctions to hide so they continue ripping is a disgrace...guess theres good n bad on each fence.

rd5425 · June 22, 2003 5:17AM

For some reason when ever I bid on dvd's on ebay, I get ton's of offers from other ebayers. I think private auctions are a good thing

DCAMFranklin · June 22, 2003 5:29AM

From a seller's perspective, I really like the use of a Private Auction. Within every series, there are a few collectors/dealers whose bidding will scare off the less experienced bidders. With a private auction, they can't know the bidder's identity and they are more willing to continue the fight. Those bidders that can intimidate lesser bidders are more likely to place their bid early realizing their ID will not show and will not run off the less experienced bidders. Now that Adrian, Anaconda, is running some low initial bid, no reserve auctions, I've have enjoyed watching the bidding. Most of these are Private Auctions and you will notice the number of bids he receives is relatively large for coins of that quality. For nicer coins within any given series, I find the Private Auction is a GREAT way of increasing the bidder activity and it brings the bidders to the table much quicker in the auction process.

MrMoo · June 22, 2003 5:40AM

Once while I was selling some cards I received a strange email. The person offered to sell me the cards for under the current bid at the time. I assume this person was mentally challenged and sent it to me instead of to the bidder. I forwarded the information to ebay, but we know how fast they get on things. I have not used the private auction function. But I see a use for it.

DHeath · June 22, 2003 5:57AM

I worry about the shilling implication, but have bid and won several private auctions. One of the things it prevents is marking. Sometimes, when I want an item, I'll bid early knowing some of my buddies will probably leave the auction alone. Similarly, if I see one of a group of people's ebay handles as the bidder, I'll ignore an auction as a courtesy. I also ignore any item I've been PM'd about or seen here, except on the occasion where I partner in the item. For the seller, private bidding eliminates that possibility.

Dog97 · June 22, 2003 11:10AM

Private auctions always scream SCAM to us collectors so I would never run one but I see where they can be useful in other eBay catagories.
I'm funny about spam and anybody other than the seller or buyer I'm dealing with sending me spam emails would tick me off.

BIGDAVE · June 22, 2003 11:40AM

I use Private auctions on any coin over $1000. it protects the bidder from people who look for large purchaces. i have never had any complaints , i just sold my 1957 pr68 dcam on a private auction

I'm Beginning to Now Understand Why Sellers have Private Bidder Auctions

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